May 24, 2014, 12:34 pm
Last edit by: Mwenenzi
Before posting please read POSTS 1-3 for a comprehensive overview of how to select a program.
If you already plan to focus on one particular alliance, please visit the sticky in the relevant forum: Deciding on a oneworld FFP or Which SkyTeam FFP or Choosing a Star FFP
List of frequent flyer programs from Wikipedia
Questionnaire: Copy and paste into your post
Provide the requested information.
1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
upgrades, priority services, baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, lounge access, etc.
>>> Reply:
2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
less than 25000 miles, 50000+ miles and 20-25 flights, etc.
>>> Reply:
3. What fare class do you usually buy?
first, business, premium economy, economy
>>> Reply:
4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
>>> Reply:
5. Which routes do you fly most often?
transatlantic, domestic USA, intra-Asia, etc.
>>> Reply:
6. What is your home airport?
>>> Reply:
7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?
>>> Reply:
8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
>>> Reply:
If you already plan to focus on one particular alliance, please visit the sticky in the relevant forum: Deciding on a oneworld FFP or Which SkyTeam FFP or Choosing a Star FFP
List of frequent flyer programs from Wikipedia
Questionnaire: Copy and paste into your post
Provide the requested information.
1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
upgrades, priority services, baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, lounge access, etc.
>>> Reply:
2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
less than 25000 miles, 50000+ miles and 20-25 flights, etc.
>>> Reply:
3. What fare class do you usually buy?
first, business, premium economy, economy
>>> Reply:
4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
>>> Reply:
5. Which routes do you fly most often?
transatlantic, domestic USA, intra-Asia, etc.
>>> Reply:
6. What is your home airport?
>>> Reply:
7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?
>>> Reply:
8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
>>> Reply:
Which Frequent Flyer Program to Join? Help Is Here!
Jan 10, 2015 | 4:25 pm
#346
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 22,913
fickleflyer Welcome to FT
AS has many partners including EK, BA, AA & DL. AS is a good 2nd ffp for many due to the many partners.
http://www.alaskaair.com/content/mil...-overview.aspx
Long-time lurker, first-time poster. Currently UA Silver, with more business travel than usual scheduled for the upcoming year. Will be flying NYC-Paris at least quarterly, and BA OpenSkies' JFK-ORY in Premium Economy looks very attractive. Also have one trip booked on EK for JFK-MXP.
Despite UA seemingly going down in quality, I have always preferred over AA, and I like the *A partners. Would like to try to maintain UA status while adding on another, possibly BA/OW. Looks like the EK miles may end up worthless unless someone has a good suggestion?
Despite UA seemingly going down in quality, I have always preferred over AA, and I like the *A partners. Would like to try to maintain UA status while adding on another, possibly BA/OW. Looks like the EK miles may end up worthless unless someone has a good suggestion?
http://www.alaskaair.com/content/mil...-overview.aspx
Jan 12, 2015 | 1:13 pm
#347
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 6
Hello,
About twice a year, I fly from Seattle to Asia, usually flying with ANA on business class. This is usually enough (or very close) to getting me *A Gold. Until now, I have used the UA MileagePlus program to register my miles. However, I RARELY fly United airlines in America mainly due to the inconvenience out of Seattle, but I just use it to obtain *A Gold.
I'm not happy that that they continue changing their status qualification criteria, and since I don't fly UA very much domestically, I want to switch FF programs and find a different airline where there isn't a minimum amount of segments you have to fly with them in order to gain status.
I'm thinking Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles. Looks like you only have to fly 40k miles on any *A airline using their program to get *A Gold. Any thoughts? Good or bad?
Is there a better *A airline that I should use in this case?
About twice a year, I fly from Seattle to Asia, usually flying with ANA on business class. This is usually enough (or very close) to getting me *A Gold. Until now, I have used the UA MileagePlus program to register my miles. However, I RARELY fly United airlines in America mainly due to the inconvenience out of Seattle, but I just use it to obtain *A Gold.
I'm not happy that that they continue changing their status qualification criteria, and since I don't fly UA very much domestically, I want to switch FF programs and find a different airline where there isn't a minimum amount of segments you have to fly with them in order to gain status.
I'm thinking Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles. Looks like you only have to fly 40k miles on any *A airline using their program to get *A Gold. Any thoughts? Good or bad?
Is there a better *A airline that I should use in this case?
Jan 13, 2015 | 1:56 am
#348
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Toronto - YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan 25K, Star Alliance Silver, Hilton Honors Gold, NEXUS GE
Posts: 65
Hello! I have no idea which alliance to stick with so I'm here!
(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
(upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, extra baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, free - discounted lounge access, etc.)
Reply: I flew business class for the first time two days ago and on the return trip I got stuck on a CRJ-700 with a plastic seat. I can't go back. I need business class.
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
(<25000, 25000-50000, >50000 miles - <25, 25-50, >50 flights?)
Reply: Ahahaha around 1k-2k a year. I don't qualify for .....
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
(First, Business, Premium economy, Economy, cheapest)
Reply: Business. I need the comfort.
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: I live in Toronto and we've got a pretty wide selection of airlines at YYZ. I travel for pleasure as I'm currently a minor.
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often
(US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply: Canada-US Transborder.
(6) What is your home airport?
(SFO, SCL, London LHR, HKG, Singapore SIN etc.)
Reply: YYZ
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in an airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
(AA Executive Platinum, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro, etc)
Reply: I have about 5000 miles currently stocked in Aeroplan. I used to have 2,793 miles in AAdvantage but they expired because I dun goofed.
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: American Airlines and Air Canada have always given me good service, and Air Canada gives me a lot of options flying out of YYZ.
(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
(upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, extra baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, free - discounted lounge access, etc.)
Reply: I flew business class for the first time two days ago and on the return trip I got stuck on a CRJ-700 with a plastic seat. I can't go back. I need business class.
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
(<25000, 25000-50000, >50000 miles - <25, 25-50, >50 flights?)
Reply: Ahahaha around 1k-2k a year. I don't qualify for .....
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
(First, Business, Premium economy, Economy, cheapest)
Reply: Business. I need the comfort.
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: I live in Toronto and we've got a pretty wide selection of airlines at YYZ. I travel for pleasure as I'm currently a minor.
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often
(US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply: Canada-US Transborder.
(6) What is your home airport?
(SFO, SCL, London LHR, HKG, Singapore SIN etc.)
Reply: YYZ
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in an airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
(AA Executive Platinum, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro, etc)
Reply: I have about 5000 miles currently stocked in Aeroplan. I used to have 2,793 miles in AAdvantage but they expired because I dun goofed.
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: American Airlines and Air Canada have always given me good service, and Air Canada gives me a lot of options flying out of YYZ.
Jan 14, 2015 | 11:46 am
#349
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: WORLD
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, Flying Blue (KLM) Platinum, Oneworld (BA) Sapphire, *A (Aegean) Gold, IHG Spire RA,
Posts: 555
second FFP / alliance
Hi all,
i'm already Flying Blue KLM platinum, and with 3k more miles i'm that until april 2017. (as you take to many level miles to the next year).
so, as i keep the status, i can now look also maybe at another, so i can choose maybe the cheapst to fly, if i have anyway 2 statusses.
i look for mainly another ALLIANCE to fly with, but then which one and then which FFP within that Alliance to deposit. but i also look at emirates, especially for asia flights but they are not in alliance
local Europe flights i stick to KLM to avoid stopovers.
1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
(e.g., upgrades, priority services, baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, lounge access)
Reply: priority (if posisble), good awards, lounge NOT perse as i fly business
2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
(e.g., <25000, 25000-50000, >50000 miles and <25, 25-50, >50 flights?)
Reply: i will use this 2nd only for long distance. so this would be about 8-10 flights business. they are all Europe to Asia/America's south and north
3. What fare class do you usually buy?
(e.g., first, business, premium economy, economy)
Reply: business
4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: both, but yes i can choose
5. Which routes do you fly most often
(e.g., U.S. domestic, transatlantic, intra-Asia)
Reply: this will be for transatlantic
6. What is your home airport?
(e.g., SFO, LHR, HKG)
Reply: AMS (but can fly DUS too)
7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in a FFP, if any?
(e.g., AA Executive Platinum, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro)
Reply: yes Platinum Flying Blue
8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
Reply: just one that has similar service as KLM. on business flights prefer full flat. (KLM has that now too). love it.
i'm already Flying Blue KLM platinum, and with 3k more miles i'm that until april 2017. (as you take to many level miles to the next year).
so, as i keep the status, i can now look also maybe at another, so i can choose maybe the cheapst to fly, if i have anyway 2 statusses.
i look for mainly another ALLIANCE to fly with, but then which one and then which FFP within that Alliance to deposit. but i also look at emirates, especially for asia flights but they are not in alliance
local Europe flights i stick to KLM to avoid stopovers.
1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
(e.g., upgrades, priority services, baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, lounge access)
Reply: priority (if posisble), good awards, lounge NOT perse as i fly business
2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
(e.g., <25000, 25000-50000, >50000 miles and <25, 25-50, >50 flights?)
Reply: i will use this 2nd only for long distance. so this would be about 8-10 flights business. they are all Europe to Asia/America's south and north
3. What fare class do you usually buy?
(e.g., first, business, premium economy, economy)
Reply: business
4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: both, but yes i can choose
5. Which routes do you fly most often
(e.g., U.S. domestic, transatlantic, intra-Asia)
Reply: this will be for transatlantic
6. What is your home airport?
(e.g., SFO, LHR, HKG)
Reply: AMS (but can fly DUS too)
7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in a FFP, if any?
(e.g., AA Executive Platinum, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro)
Reply: yes Platinum Flying Blue
8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
Reply: just one that has similar service as KLM. on business flights prefer full flat. (KLM has that now too). love it.
Jan 14, 2015 | 1:42 pm
#350
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 102,617
At 1,000-2,000 miles per year, even in paid business class, it will take a long time to earn a useful number of redeemable miles, so you shouldn't make decisions based on FF miles. Join a reasonable FF program for each alliance so that you never waste miles, but purchase tickets based on price and schedule. Sometimes you can use miles to purchase stuff like magazines or airline souvenirs before they expire.
BTW, I hope you realize that you're a lucky minor if your parents are willing to buy business class tickets for you.
BTW, I hope you realize that you're a lucky minor if your parents are willing to buy business class tickets for you.
Jan 14, 2015 | 2:35 pm
#351
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Toronto - YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan 25K, Star Alliance Silver, Hilton Honors Gold, NEXUS GE
Posts: 65
At 1,000-2,000 miles per year, even in paid business class, it will take a long time to earn a useful number of redeemable miles, so you shouldn't make decisions based on FF miles. Join a reasonable FF program for each alliance so that you never waste miles, but purchase tickets based on price and schedule. Sometimes you can use miles to purchase stuff like magazines or airline souvenirs before they expire.
BTW, I hope you realize that you're a lucky minor if your parents are willing to buy business class tickets for you.
BTW, I hope you realize that you're a lucky minor if your parents are willing to buy business class tickets for you.
Jan 15, 2015 | 7:45 pm
#352
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2
1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
(e.g., upgrades, priority services, baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, lounge access)
Reply: I want free flights first and foremost. I'm young and have a girlfriend - I'd like to travel and take her with me places. After that, I wouldn't mind upgrades and lounge access.
2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
(e.g., <25000, 25000-50000, >50000 miles and <25, 25-50, >50 flights?)
Reply: I just started consulting so I couldn't tell you. I'd be expecting a round trip flight once a week
3. What fare class do you usually buy?
(e.g., first, business, premium economy, economy)
Reply: Economy most likely
4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: Travel for work, I'd like to redeem for pleasure. I am able to choose airlines. Class would be on the cheaper end
5. Which routes do you fly most often
(e.g., U.S. domestic, transatlantic, intra-Asia)
Reply: For work, US Domestic. For pleasure, I'd like to have the flexibility to do both, domestic and transatlantic.
6. What is your home airport?
(e.g., SFO, LHR, HKG)
Reply: Atlanta
7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in a FFP, if any?
(e.g., AA Executive Platinum, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro)
Reply: No status yet
8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
Reply: I live in Atlanta, so I may need to go Delta
Basically, I'm a new consultant and will be traveling quite a bit (most likely one round trip flight a week) and staying in hotels 3 nights per week. Renting cars most likely. Buying food at restaurants quite a bit. I'm unsure of whether I should get multiple cards, one for hotels (e.g. Starwood Amex) and one for an airlines, or get one card that is flexible (I've read good things about the Sapphire Preferred and Barclaycard Arrival Plus).
Thoughts and recommendations?
Thanks
(e.g., upgrades, priority services, baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, lounge access)
Reply: I want free flights first and foremost. I'm young and have a girlfriend - I'd like to travel and take her with me places. After that, I wouldn't mind upgrades and lounge access.
2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
(e.g., <25000, 25000-50000, >50000 miles and <25, 25-50, >50 flights?)
Reply: I just started consulting so I couldn't tell you. I'd be expecting a round trip flight once a week
3. What fare class do you usually buy?
(e.g., first, business, premium economy, economy)
Reply: Economy most likely
4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: Travel for work, I'd like to redeem for pleasure. I am able to choose airlines. Class would be on the cheaper end
5. Which routes do you fly most often
(e.g., U.S. domestic, transatlantic, intra-Asia)
Reply: For work, US Domestic. For pleasure, I'd like to have the flexibility to do both, domestic and transatlantic.
6. What is your home airport?
(e.g., SFO, LHR, HKG)
Reply: Atlanta
7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in a FFP, if any?
(e.g., AA Executive Platinum, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro)
Reply: No status yet
8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
Reply: I live in Atlanta, so I may need to go Delta
Basically, I'm a new consultant and will be traveling quite a bit (most likely one round trip flight a week) and staying in hotels 3 nights per week. Renting cars most likely. Buying food at restaurants quite a bit. I'm unsure of whether I should get multiple cards, one for hotels (e.g. Starwood Amex) and one for an airlines, or get one card that is flexible (I've read good things about the Sapphire Preferred and Barclaycard Arrival Plus).
Thoughts and recommendations?
Thanks
Jan 15, 2015 | 8:41 pm
#353
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 22,913
dazedniteman Welcome to the forum
Reward flights are not free. All have taxes. Some, depending on the ffp/airlines, can have cash surcharges. These can be low to very high and at worst not far from the retail price of the flight.
As you are travelling for work there may have a corporate travel/hotel/rental car policy
1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
(e.g., upgrades, priority services, baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, lounge access)
Reply: I want free flights first and foremost
< snip >
Basically, I'm a new consultant and will be traveling quite a bit (most likely one round trip flight a week) and staying in hotels 3 nights per week. Renting cars most likely. Buying food at restaurants quite a bit. I'm unsure of whether I should get multiple cards, one for hotels (e.g. Starwood Amex) and one for an airlines, or get one card that is flexible (I've read good things about the Sapphire Preferred and Barclaycard Arrival Plus).
(e.g., upgrades, priority services, baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, lounge access)
Reply: I want free flights first and foremost
< snip >
Basically, I'm a new consultant and will be traveling quite a bit (most likely one round trip flight a week) and staying in hotels 3 nights per week. Renting cars most likely. Buying food at restaurants quite a bit. I'm unsure of whether I should get multiple cards, one for hotels (e.g. Starwood Amex) and one for an airlines, or get one card that is flexible (I've read good things about the Sapphire Preferred and Barclaycard Arrival Plus).
As you are travelling for work there may have a corporate travel/hotel/rental car policy
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Jan 15, 2015 at 10:47 pm Reason: spelling
Jan 15, 2015 | 8:53 pm
#354
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2
dazedniteman Welcome to the forum
Reward flights are not free. All have taxes. Some, depending on the ffp/airlines. can have cash surcharges. These can be low to very high and at worst not far from the retail price of the flight.
As you are travelling are work there may have a corporate travel/hotel/rental car policy
Reward flights are not free. All have taxes. Some, depending on the ffp/airlines. can have cash surcharges. These can be low to very high and at worst not far from the retail price of the flight.
As you are travelling are work there may have a corporate travel/hotel/rental car policy
I know that "free" isn't really free, but I am basically trying to get the cost of a flight as cheap as possible. Redeem points for flights. That sort of thing.
Jan 15, 2015 | 9:39 pm
#355
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 22,913
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Jan 15, 2015 at 10:45 pm Reason: added link
Jan 16, 2015 | 5:34 am
#356
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 3
Best Bang for your Buck
I am researching options on which Frequent Flyer Program to sign up for that will give me the most for my money. Looking for a program that has priority non-stop flights with frequent trips inside the US with occasional International flights.
Good flexibility for non-stops to LA, San Diego, SF.
What are your recommendations?
Good flexibility for non-stops to LA, San Diego, SF.
What are your recommendations?
Jan 16, 2015 | 9:39 pm
#358
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Denver
Posts: 2,396
I am researching options on which Frequent Flyer Program to sign up for that will give me the most for my money. Looking for a program that has priority non-stop flights with frequent trips inside the US with occasional International flights.
Good flexibility for non-stops to LA, San Diego, SF.
What are your recommendations?
Good flexibility for non-stops to LA, San Diego, SF.
What are your recommendations?
Good luck, and safe travels!
Moderator
Jan 17, 2015 | 9:07 pm
#359
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: PNW
Programs: BAEC Silver, DL GM, AA Plat, NEXUS
Posts: 470
(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
(upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, extra baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, free - discounted lounge access, etc.)
Reply: upgrades on travel, good award redemption rates
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
(<25000, 25000-50000, >50000 miles - <25, 25-50, >50 flights?)
Reply: roughly 30,000
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
(First, Business, Premium economy, Economy, cheapest)
Reply: Premium Economy
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: No specific airline, mostly Premium Economy/Business on occasion. Travel is mostly for pleasure.
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often
(US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply: Canada&US domestic, Transatlantic, Europe domestic & Europe>North Africa.
(6) What is your home airport?
(SFO, SCL, London LHR, HKG, Singapore SIN etc.)
Reply: YVR
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in an airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
(AA Executive Platinum, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro, etc)
Reply: BAEC Bronze
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: no specific airline.
(upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, extra baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, free - discounted lounge access, etc.)
Reply: upgrades on travel, good award redemption rates
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
(<25000, 25000-50000, >50000 miles - <25, 25-50, >50 flights?)
Reply: roughly 30,000
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
(First, Business, Premium economy, Economy, cheapest)
Reply: Premium Economy
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: No specific airline, mostly Premium Economy/Business on occasion. Travel is mostly for pleasure.
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often
(US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply: Canada&US domestic, Transatlantic, Europe domestic & Europe>North Africa.
(6) What is your home airport?
(SFO, SCL, London LHR, HKG, Singapore SIN etc.)
Reply: YVR
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in an airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
(AA Executive Platinum, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro, etc)
Reply: BAEC Bronze
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: no specific airline.
Jan 20, 2015 | 9:06 pm
#360
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: QR Platinum, SQ Silver
Posts: 12
Don't be strapped in by any alliance
I have been on Staralliance Gold ( KF ( SQ)PPS ) previously ( now Silver ) - and now on One World Sapphire (QR Gold) and have realised that the best is to fly with the best deal available at the time of flight. If there is a good price offer just go for it and accumulate points on which ever group the airline belongs to. When I was with KF (SQ) Star and found myself wanting to remain in the fold and maintaining the status a chore - and not an economical one! For that matter, I also joined Skyteam so that when I do ever fly with tem I won't feel I am losing out in the points!